“A picture is worth a thousand words”, right? Today I bring you not one, but TWELVE pictures on Tostones. What are Tostones, you ask me? Tostones are one of the Dominican Republic’s favorite side dishes, flattened green plantains, double fried and crispy. You can serve them for:
- Breakfast, as a side to fried eggs and cheese
- Lunch, as a side to Rice and Beans
- Dinner, by using them as mini-sandwiches and layering them with fried salami
- Passed Canapes, topping them with anything from Avocado (like I’ll show you!) to Duck Breast!
How to Make Tostones 101
- Cut both ends off green plantains.
- Slice a slit down the length of the entire plantain, going entirely through the skin.
- Rub your hands with vegetable oil. This will prevent the starchiness of the plantains from making your hands unbearably sticky.
- Break off the peel. Some plantains will be easier to peel than others. Work with them.
- Preheat a saute pan with about an inch of oil. You could also deep-fry these in a larger amount of oil and not have to flip them. Your call.)
- Slice plantains into 1-1 1/2 inch pieces and slide into the hot oil.
- Flip over after 30 seconds and remove from pan.
- If you have a fancy toston masher, use that. Or just wash a can and mash your halfway cooked plantain with that.
- Slide back into the hot oil, flip and cook for 30 more seconds on each side.
- Remove from pan, add salt and enjoy!
You can snack on these as they are, but below is a delicious idea you can add to your next dinner party or get together! How about setting up a bar of toppings and having your guests make their own creations? What a fun party!
To make Canape below:
Dice a ripe avocado and mix olive oil, salt and pepper to taste. Layer on warm fried plantain, top with queso fresco and sprinkle with grilling spices or cayenne pepper. Enjoy!
Giveaway Time!!! What would YOU top with a fried green plantain? Dream up one creation and share in the comments! All entries will be entered to win a plantain masher (resembling this one) from the Dominican Republic! Foodie Rules: One entry per person. US addresses only. Deadline: September 13th at around bedtime (or 11pm).
Love plantains Nelly. I’m used to the NY Puerto Rico variety sweet and fried but soft unlike crunchy Tostones.
I think a spicy, thick red sauce would be my choice of topping. Perfect with the crunch if you ask me 🙂
What a great tutorial for us newbies to tostones! After seeing that last delicious photo, I don’t want to be a newbie anymore…YUM!
Yum! This has been on my to-do list for way too long, well something similar at least. Thanks for sharing this; I am definitely going to try this recipe. And I’d want to top my with a caramel sauce!
Woah, I’ve never heard of this. The only plantain I’ve ever had were some plantain chips at a local Cuban cafe a few years ago.
The first idea that comes to mind is ice cream. I don’t like overly sweet desserts, so this seems like the perfect topping to be served warm on top of a pile of vanilla ice cream, maybe with a drizzle of caramel.
Interesting… Banana and Avocado… Interesting! 2 yummy things put together… interesting…
Ahhhh, memories….I miss my Uncle making us Tostones! This look soooo fantastic! I first thought my hummus avocado sounded amazing, maybe with some chopped tomatoes! I then thought, mixing black beans with Greek yogurt, and mix in some seasonings – cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, parmesan, salt and pepper, and hot sauce, then top on Tostone! Happy Tummy! Love and Hugs, Terra
I’ve never tried a fried plantain but yours look wonderful. I think I’d have to try yours before having ideas for toppings. Lovely recipe.
Do you remember when I asked you for a green plantain recipe? By the time I got around to making it, my plantains ripened, but I fried them anyway:) Now I have to try the green ones, and mash them, as soon as I am back in the US.
Love the photo of the canape – so appetizing!
Never heard of a tostone before but now that I’ve seen them I want them, badly!
I have never had tostones before, but I’ve wanted to try them since seeing them on Top Chef a few seasons ago!!